Vietnam has turned a crisis into an opportunity for success: Diplomat

Vietnam did a good job as the ASEAN Chair this year, and the more than 80 documents adopted at the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits last week is a proof that the country has turned a crisis into an opportunity for success, the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Ambassador to the bloc Lim Sung-nam has said.
  • Vietnam chairs ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting
  • Vietnam performs better than expected as ASEAN Chair: expert
RoK Ambassador to ASEAN Lim Sung-nam in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

RoK Ambassador to ASEAN Lim Sung-nam in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam did a good job as the ASEAN Chair this year, and the more than 80 documents adopted at the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits last week is a proof that the country has turned a crisis into an opportunity for success, the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Ambassador to the bloc Lim Sung-nam has said.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Lim said Vietnam did a very good job, and the summits from November 12 to 15 were a great success in three regards. 

First and foremost, ASEAN together with the dialogue partners and the regional community could confirm the commitment to fight the COVID-19 in a very cooperative manner. Secondly, ASEAN also charted a blueprint for the post-pandemic economic recovery which is called the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. And last but not least, the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was another historical milestone.

The diplomat held that the Vietnamese Mission to ASEAN, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh and his team all deserve credit as the leadership they exerted was cohesive and responsive. 

“To be more specific, they exerted patient and persistent leadership in navigating very difficult negotiation,” he said, citing the adoption of five statements by the East Asia Summit (EAS) as an example since it's not easy to bring all together EAS member states on the same boat so that they could adopt five statements, which is unprecedented in the history of the EAS.

Regarding the ASEAN-RoK cooperation this year, Ambassador Lim said his country did prove to ASEAN that a friend in need is a friend indeed. 

The two sides are all in very difficult times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they also have taken advantage of the crisis to show the world and ASEAN that the RoK is a true friend of the bloc, he added, highlighting the RoK’s launch of a mega project worth 5 million USD for enhancing ASEAN member states’ capacity of COVID-19 detection, its donation of 1 million USD to the ASEAN COVID-19 response fund, and the contributions to the ASEAN medical supplies stockpile system.

Talking about the ASEAN-RoK cooperation for the time ahead, Lim noted that his country will promote the implementation of the New Southern Policy Plus, through which the RoK will continue to upgrade the level of cooperation in seven key areas, including health care, human resources development, trade and industry, cultural exchanges, non-traditional security, infrastructure, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

One of the key goals of the New Southern Policy Plus is to create the foundation for sustainable and mutually beneficial trade and investment, and that's more or less in line with the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.

The ambassador expressed his belief that by utilising those two frameworks, the RoK and ASEAN will continue to cooperate very closely for the mutually beneficial operation of the RCEP and at the same time to create a people-centered community of prosperity between the two sides in the coming years.

As for the RCEP, he said it will be a very important regional framework for further expanding trade and investment regionally and globally. In the post-pandemic years, the RCEP will provide a platform upon which the region as well as the global community will be able to recover from the economic recessions brought about by the COVID-19.

Besides, ASEAN has been the second largest trading partner of his country, and the RoK has been ASEAN's fifth largest trading partner. The bloc has also been the number two destination of foreign direct investment from the Northeast Asian nation. All these trade and investment ties will be further bolstered by the RCEP, according to him.

VNA

Other News

NA Chairman pays tribute to fallen heroes in Ho Chi Minh City

NA Chairman pays tribute to fallen heroes in Ho Chi Minh City

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man on July 26 offered flowers and incense in tribute to fallen heroes at memorial sites in Ho Chi Minh City, on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947–2026).

Key Party, State leaders attend live television programme honouring fallen heroes

Key Party, State leaders attend live television programme honouring fallen heroes

Jointly organised by Vietnam Television (VTV) and the People's Committees of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Tuyen Quang and Quang Tri provinces, the programme paid tribute to heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation while honouring the forces engaged in the search, recovery and identification of fallen soldiers' remains.

Vietnam strictly prohibits all forms of forced labour: Foreign Ministry

Vietnam strictly prohibits all forms of forced labour: Foreign Ministry

Vietnam will continue working with the US in a constructive and cooperative spirit, while urging the US side to fully take into account the measures Vietnam has adopted when adjusting tariffs on Vietnamese goods, consistent with the actual situation and Vietnam's ongoing legislative and enforcement push.

Vietnam leaves lasting imprint at AMM-59: Deputy FM

Vietnam leaves lasting imprint at AMM-59: Deputy FM

The Vietnamese delegation led by Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung embodied the foreign policy line of the 14th National Party Congress by acting proactively, responsibly and with leadership inside ASEAN.

Vietnam urges relevant parties to fully implement DOC in East Sea

Vietnam urges relevant parties to fully implement DOC in East Sea

PSNews - Vietnam has called on parties concerned to exercise restraint, act in accordance with international law, and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press briefing on July 23.

Vietnam, US pledge to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Vietnam, US pledge to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

At the meeting, Trung welcomed Rubio's participation and active contributions to the ASEAN meetings, saying they reflected the US' commitment to maintaining engagement in the region, supporting ASEAN centrality, and contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

AMM-59: Vietnam proposes substantive, sustainable ASEAN-EU ties

AMM-59: Vietnam proposes substantive, sustainable ASEAN-EU ties

Looking ahead, Vietnam proposed the two sides prioritise stronger regional resilience by scaling up energy cooperation, pooling financial resources and cracking down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, all aimed at building a resilient and sustainable blue economy.

ASEAN Regional Forum adopts Manila Plan of Action for 2026–2036

ASEAN Regional Forum adopts Manila Plan of Action for 2026–2036

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that ASEAN would continue working with China to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and to conclude at an early date a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Caring for revolution contributors reflects Vietnam's deep humanitarian value: PM

Caring for revolution contributors reflects Vietnam's deep humanitarian value: PM

The PM urged all-level authorities, sectors, localities, and the public to fully implement relevant Party resolutions and directives as well as preferential policies for revolution contributors, push ahead with the 500-day campaign, expand gratitude movements, accelerate housing support for children of Agent Orange/dioxin victims and strengthen patriotic education.

Press release on fourth working day of 14th Party Central Committee's third plenum

Press release on fourth working day of 14th Party Central Committee's third plenum

The Party Central Committee on July 23 discussed a proposal to transfer responsibility for giving advice on mass mobilisation work from the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation to the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organisations, as well as a proposal to rename the Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation as the Commission for Information and Education.

Vietnam proposes three priorities to advance Mekong–RoK cooperation

Vietnam proposes three priorities to advance Mekong–RoK cooperation

In its capacity as co-chair in 2025, Vietnam worked closely with the RoK and the Mekong countries to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance the effectiveness of the Mekong–RoK Business Forum, organise the Mekong–RoK Forum for the first time to share project outcomes and implementation experience, and promote innovative solutions in water resource management through the third Mekong–RoK Water Forum.

Vietnam reaffirms support for UNRWA, readiness to assist Gaza recovery efforts

Vietnam reaffirms support for UNRWA, readiness to assist Gaza recovery efforts

During a meeting with the UNRWA official in Manila, the Philippines on July 22, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang affirmed Vietnam’s consistent support for UNRWA’s role and operations, praising its efforts to maintain humanitarian, educational and healthcare assistance for Palestinians amid the complex situation.

Vietnam attends ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings with partners

Vietnam attends ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings with partners

The Vietnamese delegation proposed making energy security and transition a pillar of ASEAN-Canada relations, and urged Canada to support the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid and expand cooperation in renewable energy, hydrogen, energy storage and nuclear power for civilian purposes.